Basketball Page 158 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Luka Doncic, Lakers eye bounce-back performance in NBA Cup vs. Pelicans
After receiving a heavy dose of reality, the Los Angeles Lakers move on to a road matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans Friday, which also serves as an NBA Cup West Group B contest., ,The Lakers were walloped 121-92 by the champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, dropping to 1-2 on a five-gam...

Headed in opposite directions, Kings, Wolves meet in NBA Cup
The Minnesota Timberwolves feel as confident as they have all season ahead of their NBA Cup West Group A matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night in Minneapolis.,It all starts on defense, players and coaches agree. ,The Timberwolves will go for their fourth victory in a row when they tip...

Hornets, Bucks hope to have stars back for NBA Cup clash
Meeting for the second time in as many games, the Milwaukee Bucks host the Charlotte Hornets in a Group C matchup in NBA Cup play on Friday.,Charlotte snapped a three-game losing streak with a 111-100 home victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday. In its most impressive win to date, Charlotte led by as m...

Rockets' high-powered offense presents test for Blazers
After shooting the lights out in the fourth quarter of a road win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, the Rockets shot 59.3% and hit 7 of 13 3-pointers in the second period of their 135-112 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday -- the latest example of their offensive might.,The Rockets c...
Wild All-Star Idea That Could Save NBA All-Star Weekend
A wild, competitive fix for NBA All-Star Weekend: let the league’s top players design their own events to finally make the showcase fun, creative and meaningful again....

Jalen Brunson ailing as Knicks set to meet Heat
The New York Knicks lost at home for the first time this season on Wednesday night and can only hope they didn't lose Jalen Brunson in the process.,The Knicks could be without Brunson on Friday night, when New York closes out a seven-game homestand by facing the Miami Heat in NBA Cup action.,Both te...

Magic F Paolo Banchero (groin) ruled out vs. Nets
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero will miss Friday's home game against the Brooklyn Nets after an MRI on Thursday confirmed a left groin strain.,Banchero will be considered day-to-day moving forward, with the Magic set to face the Houston Rockets on the road Sunday.,Banchero played just 12 minute...

Pistons aim to extend perfect NBA Cup start vs. 76ers
The Detroit Pistons didn't need any of their starters to defeat Chicago on Wednesday and extend their winning streak. Regardless of which players suit up, the Pistons will look for their ninth straight victory when they host Philadelphia on Friday night.,The game is part of the NBA Cup. Detroit is 1...

Pelicans clear F Zion Williamson for on-court activities
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was cleared Thursday for contact activity in practice after missing the past five games with a hamstring injury.,Williamson, 25, was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Nov. 4. He averaged 22.8 points with 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists while ...

Magic look to climb above .500 in NBA Cup clash with Nets
The Orlando Magic will look to move above .500 for the first time since winning their season opener when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday in an NBA Cup game.,The Magic defeated the Sunshine State-rival Miami Heat to open the season before losing each of their next four games. Orlando has reboun...

Fresh off offensive blast, Jazz eager to tune out Hawks
The Utah Jazz will look to build on a complete offensive performance when they face the Atlanta Hawks in Salt Lake City on Thursday night.,Utah blasted Indiana 152-128 on Tuesday, scoring the most points in an NBA game this season. ,How dominant were the Jazz? They shot 55.4% from the field and 45.2...

Sharp-shooting Suns set to size up reeling Pacers
Whether it's a 3-pointer from the corner or one from the wing, the Phoenix Suns have not discriminated in their shooting from long distance while winning six of their last seven games.,The Suns will look to continue their good fortune when they return home to face the struggling Indiana Pacers in a ...

Raptors' Brandon Ingram on rise ahead of matchup with Cavs
The Toronto Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans nine months ago. The veteran small forward is delivering the impact they envisioned when making the deal.,Ingram and the Raptors will look to continue their hot stretch on Thursday when they visit Cleveland for the ...

NBA roundup: Nikola Jokic pours in 55 in Nuggets' win over Clippers
Nikola Jokic scored 25 of his season-high 55 points in the first quarter and the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to six games with a 130-116 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Inglewood, Calif.,Jokic added 12 rebounds with six assists while going 18 of 23 from the flo...

Rockets' first-half outburst extends Wizards' skid to 10
Kevin Durant scored 23 points, Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard combined for 41 off the bench and the host Houston Rockets claimed a 135-112 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.,Durant tallied 16 first-quarter points to get the Rockets rolling while Eason (20 points, 4-for-6 3-pointers) and...

Devin Booker, Suns handle Mavs for 4th straight win
Devin Booker scored 26 points, Jordan Goodwin went over his season high in the first half and the Phoenix Suns rolled to their fourth straight victory, a 123-114 decision over the host Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.,Klay Thompson led the Mavericks with a season-high 19 points and made six 3-pointers...

Nikola Jokic pours in 55 points as Nuggets blitz Clippers
Nikola Jokic scored 25 of his season-high 55 points in the first quarter and the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to six games with a 130-116 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Inglewood, Calif.,Jokic added 12 rebounds with six assists while going 18 of 23 from the flo...

Hawks construct 44-point lead, thrash skidding Kings
Jalen Johnson recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to help the visiting Atlanta Hawks steamroll the Sacramento Kings 133-100 on Wednesday night.,Johnson made 9 of 10 field-goal attempts in just 24 minutes as the Hawks improved to 2-0 to start a four-game road trip. Onyeka Okongwu hit 6 ...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder get off to fast start in rout of Lakers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and nine assists in just three quarters of action to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-92 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.,Playing the second night of a back-to-back, the Thunder certainly didn't look fatigued, reeling off a 23-7 run that...

Celtics' sharpshooters help take down struggling Grizzlies
Payton Pritchard made five 3-pointers and scored a game-high 24 points to propel the Boston Celtics to a 131-95 victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.,Ten players made at least one 3-pointer for the Celtics, who shot 21 of 51 (41.2%) from behind the arc.,Derrick White (20), ...